New Engine for my pride and joy?

[katie]

hi, I have an 1988 325 isc Automatic BMW (2494cc) I'm afraid I don't know much about my car (or any cars) but what I do know is that I adore my car and I would hate to loose her. About 5 months ago I noticed a white gunk in my radiator. I took it to a mechanic who told me that the block and the head were both cracked. I'm still driving it every day. I suppose it is going to give up some day soon (?) so I want to prepare myself. I really would like to keep my car. I would like to put a new engine into it but I wanted to come onto this site to get advice.
Is it a good idea to replace the engine?
Will it be expensive to buy a second hand engine?
Should I buy a reconditioned engine?
Does it take a mechanic a long time to fit the 'new engine' into my car?
Is it ok to be driving my car at the moment?
How long might my car drive for with the cracked block and head?
I really appriciate if someone could take the time to answer my questions. Happy New Year, Katie

[jcjdavis1]

Hi. Its not advisable to drive the car as described.The more knowledgable will be on to give you more help.
PS welcome

[blitz877]

welcome katie,

if the engine is that bad it should NOT be driven, is it using any oil or water? is it hard to start? and does it overheat quickly when in traffic?
a yes to any of these will mean a cracked head but id be surprised if it was a cracked block tho.
an engine can be swapped over in a day by a competent mechanic and a second hand engine should not cost any more than £250 in cood working order

hope that helps

adam

[alexbillbob]

Recently swapped 320 engine for 325 in one (very long) day so would guess a professional mechanic working normal hours could take 2 days.
Engine might keep going for a while in current condition if you nurse it depending on how big the cracks are but don't go far from home as it could overheat at any time (radiator choked with sludge) or wipe the bearings as you probably have water in the oil as well as oil in your water!

[katie]

thanks for your advice. I'll just answer those questions. The engine NEVER over heats and the car drives perfectly. I haven't driven that far from home in case something should happen but I drive into the city centre (about 10km) a few times a week, sitting in traffic etc etc.
About once every 3 weeks the light comes on to put water in it. Which I do and I notice all the 'gunk' in the radiator and all over the lid. Otherwise you wouldn't guess anything is wrong with it.
All though, I would like to be able to make longer journeys so I suppose I should buy an engine and have it on stand by for when this one goes?
( I don't know what you mean is it using oil or water? I've never put oil in it I assume it has oil in it from its last service.)
So is there such a thing as buying a reconditioned engine for it or should I just buy a second hand engine. If I buy a second hand engine am I likely to be having the same problem in a while. I suppose if that was the case I 'd be hoping the reconditioned engine was available. is that what is done??

[Brianmoooore]

It would be interesting to know the state of the oil. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, put it back in again, then pull it out and describe the oil on the end of it.
What has happened to your engine is not really an age or wear related thing - it's just 'one of those things that happens' , or something that happens as a result as a previous failure of something else. Plenty of good second hand engines about, so no need to look at 'reconditioned' (whatever that means) ones.
You should really be physically checking the oil, water and fluid levels of ANY car, at least once a week, and not just relying on warning lights!

[pnd]

the block is very unlikely to be cracked its almost unheard of on these cars however itsounds like the head might be this doesn't always lead to overheating at first.You can get new heads from eg gsf but Its probably cheaper to get a second hand engine but you need to find a trustworthy mechanic first.

[murran]

your running it on borrowed time there, its only a matter of time before "all the gunk" clogs up the cooling system and it starts over heating.
the coolant in my 320i seems to dissapeer with no sign of where its goin. i think the water fairys are pinching it. but i already have a 325 waiting so im not that bothered.
you need to be getting another engine sourced, while you still have a running car!

[alexbillbob]

The gunk in the coolant is mainly the sump oil mixed with the water getting into the coolant through the cracked head. But it can be a two way path as the water can drain into the oil channels via the cracks when the the oil pressure is lower than the water pressure e.g. when the engine is switched off but still hot.
The water in the sump normally boils off and disappears via the rocker box vent but leaves behind enough sludge and/or mayonaise (oil/water mix) to ruin the oil and then ruin your bearings.
White "mayonaise" on the dipstick or on the oil filler cap and rocker box cover normally means you have water in the oil.

[munky30]

k-seal for the win!